7th 8 Recap

I Ching explorations - Interlude 2

Not that it’s possible or proper to do so, but if one sought to compress these eight hexagrams into 4 pairs of phrases as an aid to remembering, one might consider something such as these:

In 49, Revolution leads us in a clearly different way,

while The Caldron nourishes the cultural soul in 50.

In 51, The Arousing leaves giddy awe in its wake,

            while the tranquil soul observes from the mountaintop while Keeping Still in 52.

In 53, despite Gradual Progress one may be ineffective unless parties reconcile, as shown by

The Marrying Maiden free of vanity who adapts to the situation in 54.

In 55, a modest leader achieves Abundance by remaining open to the counsel of able helpers,

            while a steadfast and humble Wanderer finds friends and activity in 56.

Or, perhaps even more rarified, one might consider that:

• Violent revolution is balanced by cultural evolution;
• Terror and frenzy are balanced by tranquil meditation;
• Steady development of a relationship is balanced by spontaneous affection; and
• Times of abundance are balanced by times of wandering.

And symbolically of course, we have:

REVOLUTION becomes THE CALDRON

 

THE AROUSING becomes KEEPING STILL

 

GRADUAL PROGRESS becomes THE MARRYING MAIDEN

 

ABUNDANCE becomes THE WANDERER

 

Peace!